Pressure touch panel and pressure sensing detection method thereof

Abstract

The embodiment of the invention discloses a pressure touchpad and a pressure sensing detection method thereof, and relates to the technical field of touchpads, the pressure touchpad comprises a substrate layer, an FPC, a touch layer, a touch sensing layer and a piezoelectric layer; the touch layer is arranged above the touch control sensing layer; the touch sensing layer is arranged above the substrate layer; the piezoelectric layer is arranged below the substrate layer; the FPC is arranged on one side of the substrate layer, and the FPC is electrically connected with the touch net and the piezoelectric layer; wherein the piezoelectric layer vibrates under the excitation of an electric signal of the FPC; the piezoelectric layer receives external force above the piezoelectric layer to deform and generate an electric signal; and the touch sensing layer is used for sensing capacitance change to generate an electric signal. The pressure touch panel is simple in structure, the thickness is greatly reduced, and the cost is also reduced.

Description

TECHNICAL FIELD

[0001] The present application relates to the technical field of touchpad, in particular to a pressure touchpad and a pressure sensing detection method thereof. BACKGROUND

[0002] Touchpad plays an important role in modern electronic device interaction, but its large thickness is an unavoidable disadvantage. Many touchpads are designed with considerable thickness, which makes them greatly discounted in installation space and portability. Whether installed in a notebook computer or applied in a wireless touchpad, the thickness of the touchpad is much larger than that of other light and thin device accessories, and its thick shape is like a heavy burden. SUMMARY

[0003] The technical problem to be solved by the embodiments of the present application is that the pressure touchpad on the market has a large thickness and is not convenient to install on a notebook computer or a separate leather keyboard with limited space.

[0004] To solve the above problems, the embodiments of the present application disclose a pressure touchpad and a pressure sensing detection method. The overall thickness of the touchpad is reduced, and the space utilization is improved.

[0005] In one aspect, the present application provides a pressure touchpad, comprising: a substrate layer, an FPC, a touch layer, a touch sensing layer and a piezoelectric layer; the touch layer is above the touch sensing layer; the touch sensing layer is above the substrate layer; the piezoelectric layer is below the substrate layer; the FPC is on one side of the substrate layer and is electrically connected to the touch sensing layer and the piezoelectric layer respectively; wherein the piezoelectric layer vibrates under the excitation of the electric signal of the FPC; the piezoelectric layer receives the electric signal generated by the deformation of the external force above; the touch sensing layer is used to sense the change of capacitance to generate an electric signal.

[0006] In another aspect, the present application also provides a pressure touchpad, comprising a touch layer and a base; one side of the base is attached with a touch net to form a touch sensing layer; one side of the base is attached with a piezoelectric material to form a piezoelectric layer; the touch layer is above the touch net.

[0007] Further, the base is made of inorganic non-metallic material.

[0008] Further, the thickness of the base ranges from 0.2mm to 1.2mm.

[0009] In still another aspect, the present application also provides a pressure touchpad, comprising a touch layer and a piezoelectric glass, one side of the piezoelectric glass is provided with a touch net to form a touch sensing layer; the touch layer is on one side of the touch sensing layer.

[0010] In another aspect, the application also provides a pressure sensing detection method of the pressure touchpad, which is applied to the pressure touchpad in any of the above embodiments, and the method comprises: obtaining a sensing signal, wherein the sensing signal comprises a capacitance change amount of the touch sensing layer and a pressure change amount of the piezoelectric layer; and starting vibration of the piezoelectric layer according to the sensing signal.

[0011] Compared with the prior art, the technical effects achieved by the embodiments of the application include:

[0012] The thickness of each layer of the touchpad is reduced, and the overall thickness of the touchpad is reduced, so that the thin touchpad applied in the touchpad is like a delicate electronic sheet, which can be easily installed in a narrow space of a notebook computer, or applied in a wireless touchpad and put into a compact portable bag, almost without occupying extra space. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

[0013] In order to more clearly illustrate the technical solutions of the embodiments of the application, the following will briefly introduce the drawings needed to be used in the embodiment description. Obviously, the drawings in the following description are some embodiments of the application, and other drawings can also be obtained by those skilled in the art without creative labor on the basis of these drawings.

[0014] Figure 1 A pressure touchpad structure schematic diagram provided by the embodiment of the application;

[0015] Figure 2 Another pressure touchpad structure schematic diagram provided by the embodiment of the application;

[0016] Figure 3 Another pressure touchpad structure schematic diagram provided by the embodiment of the application;

[0017] Figure 4 A pressure touchpad pressure sensing detection method flowchart provided by the embodiment of the application.

[0018] REFERENCE NUMERALS

[0019] 1, touch layer; 2, touch sensing layer; 21, touch net; 22, FPC; 23, substrate layer; 3, piezoelectric layer; 5, buffer layer. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0020] With reference to the drawings, the technical solutions in the embodiments will be clearly and completely described below. Obviously, the embodiments described below are only a part of the embodiments of the present application, rather than all the embodiments of the present application. Based on the embodiments in the present application, all the other embodiments obtained by a person of ordinary skill in the art without creative effort are within the scope of protection of the present application.

[0021] It should be understood that, when used in the specification and the appended claims, the terms "comprise" and "include" indicate the presence of the described features, integers, steps, operations, elements, and / or components, but do not exclude one or more other features, integers, steps, operations, elements, components, and / or groups thereof.

[0022] It should also be understood that the terms used in the specification of the embodiments of the present application are only for the purpose of describing the specific embodiments of the present application and are not intended to limit the embodiments of the present application. As used in the specification of the embodiments of the present application and the appended claims, the singular forms "a", "an" and "the" are intended to include the plural forms unless the context clearly indicates otherwise.

[0023] Referring to Figures 1-3 The embodiments of the present application provide a pressure touchpad, which comprises a substrate layer 23, an FPC 22, a touch layer 1, a touch sensing layer 2 and a piezoelectric layer 3; the touch layer 1 is above the touch sensing layer 2; the touch sensing layer 2 is above the substrate layer 23; the piezoelectric layer 3 is below the substrate layer 23; the FPC 22 is on one side of the substrate layer 23 and is electrically connected with the touch sensing layer 2 and the piezoelectric layer 3 respectively; wherein the piezoelectric layer 3 vibrates under the excitation of an electric signal of the FPC 22; the piezoelectric layer 3 receives an external force deformation above to generate an electric signal; and the touch sensing layer 2 is used for sensing a capacitance change to generate an electric signal.

[0024] In a specific embodiment, the touch sensing layer 2 is provided with a touch net, which is a capacitive sensing pattern made of conductive metal or other conductors, and is provided with signal lines through which signals are led out and connected to a touch IC on the FPC 22 by bonding, for example, indium tin oxide, and in other embodiments, the touch net is a single-layer multi-point pattern for sensing capacitive changes to generate electrical signals. The touch layer 1 includes strengthened glass and polycarbonate, has wear-resistant and scratch-resistant effects, and is used to provide a smooth touch surface. The FPC 22 is a flexible circuit board with high wiring density, light weight, thin thickness, and good bending properties. The substrate layer 23 refers to a material with high strength, and a non-conductive substrate is commonly made of glass, which is used to support the connection of the FPC 22 and the touch sensing layer 2. The piezoelectric layer 3 is attached to the bottom of the substrate layer 23, and the piezoelectric layer 3 is electrically connected to the FPC 22 through two positive and negative electrode leads. The piezoelectric layer 3 includes a piezoelectric material, which is a material that can convert mechanical vibration (sound wave) and alternating current into each other, and is used to receive electrical signals to vibrate, or to receive external force deformation to generate electrical signals. The overall thickness of the touch layer 1, the touch sensing layer 2, and the piezoelectric layer 3 is about 1.5 mm, realizing the thinness of the touch panel.

[0025] When a finger touches the touch layer, the touch sensing layer 2 close to the touch surface can sense the position of the finger in combination with the touch circuit of the FPC 22. When the finger applies pressure to the touch layer 1, it will cause the piezoelectric layer 3 to deform, thereby outputting voltage on the positive and negative leads to the circuit of the FPC 22. Through the processing of the circuit on the FPC 22, the magnitude of the force applied to the touch panel can be reflected. When the detected pressure reaches a pre-set threshold value, the circuit on the FPC 22 will generate a required voltage applied to the positive and negative leads of the piezoelectric layer 3, and the piezoelectric layer 3 will vibrate under the excitation of this voltage, simulating the feedback feeling of pressing the key. The structure of the pressure touch panel becomes simple, the thickness is greatly reduced, and the cost is also reduced.

[0026] In an embodiment, the piezoelectric layer 3 is further provided with a buffer layer 5 around the periphery, and the thickness of the buffer layer 5 is greater than that of the piezoelectric layer 3.

[0027] Specifically, the buffer layer 5 is used to provide elastic support, and is usually made of rubber, sponge, etc.

[0028] The embodiment of the present application also provides a pressure touch panel. The pressure touch panel includes a touch layer and a base body; one side of the base body is attached with a touch net to form a touch sensing layer; one side of the base body is attached with a piezoelectric material to form a piezoelectric layer; and the touch layer is arranged above the touch sensing layer. The components are specifically introduced as follows:

[0029] In the embodiment, the touch net is used for sensing the change of the capacitance, is made of conductive metal, for example, indium tin oxide, and the piezoelectric material is a material capable of realizing mutual conversion between mechanical vibration (sound wave) and alternating current. The substrate includes a PCB board, glass, and ceramic. The touch net and the piezoelectric material are attached to the surface of the substrate, so that the substrate has both touch function and piezoelectric function.

[0030] In the embodiment, the touch net is used for sensing the change of the capacitance, is made of conductive metal, for example, indium tin oxide, and the piezoelectric material is a material capable of realizing mutual conversion between mechanical vibration (sound wave) and alternating current. The substrate includes a PCB board, glass, and ceramic. The touch net and the piezoelectric material are attached to the surface of the substrate, so that the substrate has both touch function and piezoelectric function.

[0031] In the embodiment, the substrate is made of inorganic non-metallic material.

[0032] Specifically, the substrate is made of inorganic non-metallic material, for example, glass and ceramic. The glass and ceramic have high bending strength. The inorganic non-metallic material is used to fix the touch net, the FPC, and the piezoelectric layer, so that the mechanical force transmission efficiency of the touch layer and the piezoelectric layer is high, and the vibration feedback is more comfortable.

[0033] Further, the thickness of the substrate ranges from 0.2 mm to 1.2 mm.

[0034] Specifically, the thickness of the piezoelectric layer ranges from 0.1 mm to 0.3 mm. For example, the piezoelectric material adopts a single-layer piezoelectric ceramic substrate with a thickness of 0.1 mm. The thickness of the touch sensing layer ranges from 0.05 mm to 0.1 mm. For example, the touch net selects a single-layer ITO film with a thickness of 0.05 mm.

[0035] The embodiment of the present application also provides a pressure touch plate, which includes a touch layer and piezoelectric glass. One side of the piezoelectric glass is provided with a touch sensing layer formed by a touch net. The touch layer is arranged on one side of the touch sensing layer.

[0036] In the embodiment, the piezoelectric glass has the function of mutual conversion between mechanical vibration (sound wave) and alternating current, one side of the touch net is provided with a touch sensing layer formed by the touch net, the touch net is formed by a predetermined pattern of conductive material (for example, ITO, metal wire, nano silver, graphene, carbon nanotube) through physical or chemical method and is fixed on one side of the piezoelectric glass, usually the Sensor pattern of the capacitive touch screen or touch pad realizes capacitive sensing, and then the piezoelectric glass has the functions of touch and piezoelectricity. For example, the touch net is an indium tin oxide film, also known as an ITO film. It should be noted that the touch net filled and etched in the piezoelectric glass can be obtained by depositing on the surface of the substrate through physical or chemical method, and the specific method can be determined by referring to the existing data, and the present application does not make specific limitation.

[0037] Figure 4 A flowchart of a pressure sensing detection method of a pressure touch pad is provided in the embodiment. The embodiment provides a pressure sensing detection method of a pressure touch pad. Specifically, referring to Figure 4 The pressure sensing detection method of the pressure touch pad includes the following steps S101-S102.

[0038] S101, obtaining an induction signal, the induction signal including a capacitive change amount of the touch sensing layer and a pressure change amount of the piezoelectric layer.

[0039] In the specific implementation, the touch sensing layer is provided with a mesh-distributed electrode. When the human body contacts the capacitive screen, an equivalent capacitor is formed between the finger and the capacitive screen due to the grounding of the human body. The high-frequency signal can flow into the ground through the equivalent capacitor. In this way, the charge amount received by the receiving end is reduced. When the finger is closer to the transmitting end, the reduction of the charge is more obvious. Finally, the point touched is determined according to the current intensity received by the receiving end. In the embodiment, the capacitive change amount and the induction coordinate are obtained by the touch sensing layer. The piezoelectric layer can receive external force and generate a corresponding electric signal according to the size of the external force. The pressure change amount is obtained by the piezoelectric layer.

[0040] In an embodiment, the step S101 includes: judging whether the capacitive change amount is greater than a preset capacitive change threshold; if not, determining that the induction signal is a false touch.

[0041] In the specific implementation, the capacitive change threshold is 35%. If the capacitive size change amount after the touch exceeds 35%, it is determined that the finger touch is detected. If the capacitive size change amount after the touch does not reach 35%, it is determined as a false touch. Generally, the range of the change amount that can be sensed by the finger touch is 25% to 95%, and the capacitive change threshold is set to 35% to prevent false touch.

[0042] In an embodiment, the determining whether the capacitance change is greater than a preset capacitance change threshold comprises: if the capacitance change is greater than the preset capacitance change threshold, obtaining the capacitance change and position information thereof within a preset time, determining a gesture path according to the capacitance change and the position information, and sequentially starting the piezoelectric layer vibration at the gesture path.

[0043] In a specific implementation, the length of the preset time determines the timeliness of the vibration. Understandably, the timeliness refers to the deviation between the position coordinates of the finger and the vibration position when the finger slides on the pressure touchpad. The shorter the preset time, the higher the timeliness of the vibration feedback. For example, the preset time is less than or equal to 30 ms. The preset time is used as a feedback period, the gesture path within the feedback period is identified, and the piezoelectric layer vibration at the gesture path is started in time sequence, so as to form a waveform vibration according to the gesture path within the feedback period.

[0044] In S102, the piezoelectric layer vibration is started according to the sensing signal.

[0045] In a specific implementation, the piezoelectric layer is started according to the sensing signal, and the vibration feedback is made by starting the piezoelectric layer.

[0046] In an embodiment, the step S102 comprises: determining whether the pressure change is greater than a preset pressure change threshold; and if yes, starting the piezoelectric layer vibration.

[0047] In a specific implementation, the piezoelectric layer is started according to the pressing force of the finger to provide the vibration feedback. For example, the capacitance change after the touch is greater than 40%, and the change in the pressing force is greater than 0.3 N, which is determined as the finger pressing the touchpad, and the piezoelectric layer vibration is started. Generally, the pressing force of the finger is 0.5 N-1 N, the vibration feedback is provided according to the change in the force, the multi-level vibration feedback can be achieved according to the detected pressure change, for example, the finger pressing force is 0.6 N, the piezoelectric layer vibrates for the first time, and then the finger continues to apply a 0.4 N pressing force, and the piezoelectric layer vibrates for the second time. For another example, the finger pressing force is 0.6 N, the piezoelectric layer feedback force is 0.3 N; the finger pressing force is 0.4 N, and the piezoelectric layer feedback force is 0.5 N.

[0048] In the above embodiments, the description of each embodiment has its own emphasis, and the parts not described in detail in a certain embodiment can be referred to the related description of other embodiments.

[0049] In the description of the present application, it is to be understood that the orientation or positional relationship indicated by the terms "center", "longitudinal", "lateral", "length", "width", "thickness", "upper", "lower", "front", "back", "left", "right", "vertical", "horizontal", "top", "bottom", "inner", "outer", "clockwise", "counterclockwise" and the like is based on the orientation or positional relationship shown in the drawings, and is only for the convenience of describing the present application and simplifying the description, and does not indicate or imply that the device or element referred to must have a particular orientation, be constructed and operated in a particular orientation, and therefore cannot be understood as a limitation of the present application.

[0050] In addition, the terms "first", "second" are only for descriptive purposes and cannot be understood as indicating or implying relative importance or implicitly indicating the number of technical features indicated. Therefore, the features defined with "first", "second" can explicitly or implicitly include one or more of the features. In the description of the present application, the meaning of "a plurality of" is two or more, unless otherwise explicitly specified and limited.

[0051] In the present application, unless otherwise explicitly specified and limited, the terms "mounting", "connecting", "connecting", "fixing" and the like should be understood broadly, for example, it can be connected, or detachable, or integrated; it can be mechanical connection, or electrical connection; it can be directly connected, or indirectly connected through intermediate medium, it can be the internal communication of two elements or the interaction relationship between two elements. For those skilled in the art, the specific meaning of the above terms in the present application can be understood according to the specific circumstances.

[0052] In the present application, unless otherwise explicitly specified and limited, the first feature "above" or "below" the second feature can include that the first and second features are in direct contact, or that the first and second features are not in direct contact but are in contact through another feature between them. Moreover, the first feature "above", "above" and "above" the second feature includes that the first feature is directly above and obliquely above the second feature, or only indicates that the horizontal height of the first feature is higher than that of the second feature. The first feature "below", "below" and "below" the second feature includes that the first feature is directly below and obliquely below the second feature, or only indicates that the horizontal height of the first feature is less than that of the second feature.

[0053] In the description of the present specification, the description of the terms "one embodiment", "some embodiments", "an example", "a specific example", or "some examples" and the like means that the specific features, structures, materials or characteristics described in connection with the embodiment or example are included in at least one embodiment or example of the present application. In the present specification, the illustrative description of the above terms should not be understood as necessarily referring to the same embodiment or example. Also, the specific features, structures, materials or characteristics described can be combined in any one or more embodiments or examples in a suitable manner. In addition, those skilled in the art can combine and combine different embodiments or examples described in the present specification.

[0054] Obviously, those skilled in the art can make various modifications and variations to the present application without departing from the spirit and scope of the present application. Thus, the present application also intends to include these modifications and variations within the scope of the claims of the present application and their equivalent technologies.

[0055] The above is a specific embodiment of the present application, but the protection scope of the present application is not limited thereto, and any skilled person in the art can easily think of various equivalent modifications or replacements within the technical scope disclosed by the present application, and these modifications or replacements should be included in the protection scope of the present application. Therefore, the protection scope of the present application should be subject to the protection scope of the claims.

Claims

1. A pressure-sensitive touchpad, characterized in that, include: Substrate layer, FPC, touch layer, touch sensing layer, and piezoelectric layer; The touch layer is above the touch sensing layer; The touch sensing layer is above the substrate layer; The piezoelectric layer is located beneath the substrate layer; The FPC is located on one side of the substrate layer and is electrically connected to the touch sensing layer and the piezoelectric layer, respectively. The piezoelectric layer vibrates under the excitation of the electrical signal of the FPC; the piezoelectric layer generates an electrical signal by receiving the deformation of the external force above it. The touch sensing layer is used to sense changes in capacitance and generate electrical signals.

2. A pressure-sensitive touchpad, characterized in that, It includes a touch layer and a substrate; a touch mesh is attached to one side of the substrate to form a touch sensing layer; a piezoelectric material is attached to one side of the substrate to form a piezoelectric layer; the touch layer is disposed above the touch mesh.

3. The touchpad according to claim 2, characterized in that, The matrix is ​​made of inorganic non-metallic materials.

4. The touchpad according to claim 2, characterized in that, The thickness of the substrate ranges from 0.2 mm to 1.2 mm.

5. A pressure-sensitive touch panel, characterized in that, It includes a touch layer and piezoelectric glass, wherein a touch sensing layer formed by a touch mesh is arranged on one side of the piezoelectric glass; the touch layer is disposed on one side of the touch sensing layer.

6. A pressure-sensing detection method applied to the pressure touchpad according to any one of claims 1-5, characterized in that, include: Acquire sensing signals, including the capacitance change of the touch sensing layer and the pressure change of the piezoelectric layer; The piezoelectric layer vibration is initiated based on the induced signal.

7. The method according to claim 6, characterized in that, The step of initiating piezoelectric layer vibration based on the induced signal includes: Determine whether the change in capacitance is greater than a preset capacitance change threshold; If not, the sensing signal is determined to be a false trigger.

8. The method according to claim 7, characterized in that, The step of determining whether the capacitance change is greater than a preset capacitance change threshold includes: If so, the capacitance change and its position information within a preset time period are obtained, the gesture path is determined based on the capacitance change and the position information, and the piezoelectric layer vibration at the gesture path is activated sequentially.

9. The method according to claim 6, characterized in that, The step of initiating piezoelectric layer vibration based on the induced signal includes: Determine whether the pressure change is greater than a preset pressure change threshold; If so, then the vibration of the piezoelectric layer is initiated.

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